Preventative treatment of wood

ABSTRACT

Methods and compositions for protecting wooden members (components) against attack by destructive insects and fungi. The wood preservative is formulated as a paste and is applied in that form to an exposed surface of the member. The active ingredient is released by that same moisture which creates conditions conducive to destructive attacks on the wood. Boron-based active ingredients are preferred as are polyethylene glycol carriers for the active ingredient.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/543,149, filed 13 Oct. 1995, now abandoned. The latter is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 08/199,612 filed 22 Feb. 1994 (nowabandoned).

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel, improved methods andformulations for protecting wood against insecticidal and fungal attack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Logs, lumber, and other forms of wood are susceptible to attack by avariety of destructive insects, larvae, and fungi including:Subterranean, Dampwood, and Drywood termites; wood boring beetles;carpenter ants; and fungi such as Poria sp., Polyporous sp., Coniophoracerebella, C. putriana, Lenzitis sapiara, L. tribium, Meruliuslacrymans, Poxillus sp., Xestobium rufivollosum, Anobium punctatum, A.mollis, and Callidum viollacem. Other partial lists of insects and fungithat cause wood damage can be found in BORA-CARE™, Termiticide,Insecticide and Fungicide Concentrate and in U.S. Borax Service Bulletin& Specimen Label 200.

There are many treatment agents and application techniques designed toprotect wood against attack by the foregoing and other insects andfungi. The compounds commonly used for such treatment agents comprise anactive ingredient which actually kills the insects, fungi, etc., and acarrier which functions to carry the active ingredient into the wood bydiffusion. A commonly used active ingredient is a boron composition suchas disodium octoborate tetrahydrate (DOT), marketed under the trademarkTIMBOR. Commonly, such a boron compound is provided: (1) in an aqueouscarrier; (2) in a liquid carrier and penetration aid such as a mixtureof ethylene glycol and water (U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,881 issued 9 Sep. 1986to Bechgaard) or a mixture of polyethylene and ethylene glycols (U.S.Pat. No. 5,104,664 issued 14 Apr. 1992 to Palmere et al.); or (3) in amicrocrystalline formulation which is subsequently diluted with waterand used as a dip or spray (U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,946 issued 14 Jul. 1992to Evans and Treatment of Log-Home Logs with Thickened Boron, Puettmannet al., 42 Forest Products Journal 11/12, November/December 1992, pp30-32).

The foregoing, and similar, products have significant drawbacks. Thosewhich contain ethylene glycol are unsafe (ethylene glycol is classifiedas a toxic chemical). The active principles in boron-based products withan aqueous carrier do not diffuse well into dry wood. Water evaporatestoo quickly for it to transport the active ingredient to the center of awooden component of significant thickness.

Available alternatives to the boron-based wood preservatives discussedabove are fumigants, pesticides, and pressure treatment formulationswhich contain CCA (chromated copper arsenate) and other toxic compoundscontaining copper, chromium, or arsenic. Pressure treated logs are alsounpopular as the preservative turns the wood green. Or, if a stain isadded to the formulation, it gives what is regarded by some as anunnatural appearance which is incompatible with the desired look of loghomes.

As will be apparent to the reader, there is a continuing and presentneed for an improved way of protecting woods against attack bydestructive insects and fungi.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There have now been invented and disclosed herein certain new and novelpreservatives and application techniques with the capability ofrealizing this important objective.

The novel wood preservatives of the present invention employ boroncompounds as the active, pesticidally effective ingredient. Thesecompounds are efficacious and, as discussed above, relatively harmlessto animal life.

The boron compound is dispersed in a carrier system containingwater-miscible, non-toxic glycols with low volatility. The resultingformulation is a paste (for the purpose of this disclosure, a paste isdefined as a smooth, thick, non-flowable composition which has much thesame consistency as toothpaste and is sufficiently viscous to retain itsform at the temperatures at which it is formulated and at the ambienttemperatures to which it is subjected during storage and application,yet soft enough to be extruded from an applicator and to be formed intocontact with the surface of a wooden member to which the paste isapplied). The paste is applied to the wood to be treated as a bead, muchlike caulking, or forced into holes present or drilled in the wood, forexample.

Thus applied, the preservative remains in place on or within the woodstructure until dispersed or diffused by moisture in the wood and/or thecarrier component of the product. At that point, the active principle isreleased from the paste and transported into and throughout the wood bythe moisture as assisted by the glycol penetration aids. This completepenetration optimizes the efficacy of the boron-based pesticide bymaking it present throughout the volume of the wooden beam or othercomponent to which the paste is applied. Because it is released onlywhen moisture is present, effective amounts of the active principleremain available for long periods of time.

Also, as suggested above, the novel formulations of the presentinvention are free of the toxic ethylene glycol heretofore commonlyemployed as a carrier for boron compounds in wood preservativeformulations. Furthermore, those carrier constituents which are employedare not hazardous.

The objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparentto the reader from the foregoing and the appended claims and as theensuing detailed description and discussion proceeds in conjunction withthe accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of a structure fabricated from logs whichare protected against insecticidal and fungal infestation with a slowrelease preservative in accord with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, fragmentary view of a structure fabricated ofsquared off logs, showing how the preservative is applied;

FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, of a structure composed of splinedtimbers;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view of a log structure showing how thepreservative is employed to protect the wood at openings such as theillustrated window;

FIG. 5 is a section through FIG. 5, taken substantially along line 5--5of the latter figure.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view showing a portion of another type of timberhaving two flattened surfaces with which the composition of the presentinvention can advantageously be used; and

FIG. 7 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 6, showing a round timberhaving a radial kerf with which the present invention can advantageouslybe used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The novel wood preservatives of the present invention are paste-typecompositions which employ a pesticidally active boron compound or amixture of such compounds as the active ingredient. The pesticide isdispersed in a mixture of polyethylene glycols (PEG's) so selected asto: (1) give the composition the wanted toothpastelike consistency; (2)make the active ingredient available over an extended period of time;and (3) promote the penetration of the active principle into the woodbeing protected, especially during periods when damage to the wood ismost apt to occur absent the protection afforded by the preservative. Asurfactant component is preferably employed to promote the dispersion ofthe boron component in the PEG's and to reduce the surface tension ofthe pesticide formulation as it is applied to the wood to be protected.This enhances surface wetting of the substrate to which the formulationsis applied. Surface wetting is important because it causes thepreservative to stick to the substrate being treated instead of rollingto an unwanted, less effective location or even off the substrate.

The preferred active ingredient is disodium octoborate tetrahydrate(DOT). That material is available in a 98 percent concentration with 2percent absorbed moisture and the formula Na₂ B₈ O₁₃.4H₂ O from the U.S.Borax Corporation under the tradename TIMBOR®. DOT is a soluble whitepowder which provides long lasting protection to wood. It is free ofunpleasant odors, does not change the appearance of wood, and is easy tohandle. DOT is not corrosive to most metals, has very low acutetoxicity, is not absorbed through the skin, is easily removed by soapand water, and is highly toxic to wood infecting insects and fungi.

Although DOT is preferred, there are other, pesticidally active boroncompounds that can be employed in the practice of the present invention.These include: boric acid; borax/boric acid mixtures; potassium,ammonium, and sodium borates; anhydrous borax; borax pentahydrate; andboric oxide.

The preferred carrier-thickener is a mixture of two PEG's, one a liquidwith a molecular weight preferably in the range of 190 to 210 and thesecond a solid with a molecular weight preferably in the range of 4400to 4800 but in any event high enough that the preservative will not meltif left in or otherwise exposed to the sun. Commercial products thatmeet these specifications are CARBOWAX 200 which is a liquid PEG with anapproximate molecular weight of 200 and CARBOWAX 4600 flake, a solid PEGwith an approximate molecular weight of 4600. Both PEG's are availablefrom the Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation.

The mixture of PEG's is required to obtain the wanted toothpastelikeconsistency at the temperatures at which the formulation is applied andactivated. Both the higher molecular weight PEG and the lower molecularweight PEG are resistant to evaporation. They accordingly keep theactive principle available for release and transport into the wood beingprotected by the same moisture which creates the conditions favorablefor pesticidal invasion. Both PEG's are also water-miscible, whichadvantageously enhances the moisture-triggered penetration of the activeingredient into the wood being protected by the preservative.

The preferred DOT pesticide is not soluble enough in water for thatcarrier by itself to be loaded to the extent required for pesticidaleffectiveness. The problem this creates is eliminated and solubilitypromoted by the liquid PEG. That constituent predisperses the DOT andthereby facilitates its solution in the moisture which contacts theemplaced wood preservative. The PEG is hygroscopic and a diluent, thesemechanisms acting in concert to effect and enhance penetration of thewood by the selected boron pesticide better than water alone can.

Either one surfactant or a combination of two surfactants can beemployed in the formulation. If two surfactants are used, one isemployed to promote the dispersion of the active ingredient in the PEGcarrier and to keep that ingredient uniformly suspended in the carrier.The second surfactant is a wetting agent utilized to reduce the surfacetension of the preservative formulation. As discussed above, this isimportant because of the adhesion to the substrate to keep theformulation in place that is consequentially obtained. One suitabledispersant is VANWET 9N9, which is a non-ionic, ethoxylated phenolsupplied by Univar Corporation, Seattle, Wash.; and this can surfactantbe used alone, functioning both as a wetting agent and a dispersant. Awetting agent that can be used in combination with VANWET 9N9 is FLUORADFC-129, a surfactant manufactured by the Minnesota Mining andManufacturing company.

The novel wood preservatives of the present invention are formulated asfollows.

    ______________________________________                                                          Weight Percent                                              Constituent       (Range)                                                     ______________________________________                                        Boron-based Pesticide                                                                            37-55.5                                                    (active ingredient)                                                           Solid PEG         1-10                                                        Liquid PEG        40-60                                                       Dispersant        0.01-5                                                      Wetting/Adhesion Agent                                                                          1-10                                                        ______________________________________                                    

In the foregoing table, the percentages are approximately (i.e.,nominal; and the weight percent of the boron-based pesticide isexpressed as the boric acid equivalent (BAE). The amount of a particularpesticide can be calculated in straightforward fashion from the BAE. Theconversion factor is 1.2 for TIMBOR® as one example (i.e., DOT equalsBAE divided by 1.2).

With perhaps some sacrifice in long-term effectiveness and/or ease ofapplication, the dispersant and/or the adhesion agent can be omittedfrom the formulation if warranted by a particular application of theinvention.

A representative, preferred wood preservative embodying the principlesof the present invention was formulated as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                            Weight  Weight                                            Constituent         (lbs)   Percent                                           ______________________________________                                        PEG 200             155.50  50.15                                             PEG 4600 (Flake)    10.00   3.22                                              TIMBOR              119.60  38.57                                             Vanwet 9N9 (Dispersant)                                                                           1.00    0.32                                              Propylene Glycol    24.00   7.74                                              (Wetting/Adhesion Agent)                                                      ______________________________________                                    

A suitable batch-type method of preparing this representativepreservative utilizes a 20 horsepower, single-shaft Hi-Speed Disperserwith: a vertical shaft; a Cowles type blade depending into a 300 gallon,dished-bottom, cylindrical tank; and a ballvalve type discharge port onthe side of the tank near its bottom. The constituents of the pesticidalformulation are charged into the tank from a position above its openupper end.

The specific procedure is as follows:

(1) Measure the propylene glycol and the PEG 200 (the low molecularweight polyethylene glycol), and add these to the tank. The order ofaddition is not critical;

(2) turn on the mixer at the lowest speed which will create a vortex inthe liquids;

(3) activate the heating mechanism (the glycols heat slowly, makingheating at this point important);

(4) add the heated glycols to the tank;

(5) add the surfactant to the tank and mix with the glycols;

(6) measure the DOT and add it gradually to the tank with agitation;

(7) continue to agitate and heat the mixture until the DOT is wellmixed;

(8) measure the PEG 4600, and add it to the tank with continued heat andagitation; and

(9) maintain the temperature at 180° F. and continue to agitate at aspeed which gives a vortex 5-10 inches above the blade until the mixtureis smooth and uniform.

Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 depicts, in fragmentary form, a logstructure 20 such as a house or outbuilding fabricated in part byerecting circularly sectioned logs such as those identified by referencecharacters 22 and 24 in a vertical array to form a wall 26. The gap 28between logs 22 and 24 is sealed, typically with a synthetic chinkingsuch as that sold by Perma-Chink Systems, Inc., Redmond, Wash. under thetrademark PERMACHINK® (the chinking is identified in FIG. 1 by referencecharacters 30 and 32). The logs are then typically stained, using abrush or spray applicator and a latex or other polymerizable stain 33 oran oil stain.

In accord with the present invention, structure 20 is protected againstinsecticidal and fungal damage by two parallel beads 34 and 36 of woodpreservative of the formulation and with the pastelike consistencydescribed above. By virtue of it having a consistency of this character,the beads 34 and 36 of preservative may be applied with a conventionalcaulking gun although other applicators can instead be employed, ifdesired. Preservative beads 34 and 36 are applied to the top of theexternal surface 37 of log 22 prior to the stacking of log 24 on log 22in a parallel, spaced (or side-by-side) relationship. The beads extendthe length of the log.

When moisture penetrates the logs 22 and 24 in the location of thepreservative composition, the pesticidally active boron compound will bereleased from the beads 34 and 36 of wood preservative and transportedinto logs 22 and 24 to protect them against insecticidal and fungalattack. As discussed above, this relied upon penetration of theboron-based pesticide is significantly facilitated by thewater-miscible, higher molecular weight PEG and by the penetratingaction of the lower molecular weight PEG.

When the moisture content increases in timbers 22 and 24, the timbersare more susceptible to damage by fungi and insects. However, a higherlevel of moisture in the timbers increases the rate at which the activeingredient diffuses from the beads 34 and 36 into the wood to resist theintrusion of the fungi or insects. Thus, the conditions which made thetimbers more susceptible to pesticidal attack also release and transportthe active boron in a manner which results in optimal kill of anydeleterious insects and/or fungi that might be present.

When the wood is rather dry, it is substantially less susceptible todamage by fungi and insects; and the diffusion rate of the activeingredient into the wood structure is substantially lower. As aconsequence, the preservative beads remain effective over an extendedperiod of many years because the active ingredient diffuses into thewood essentially only when and to the extent that it is needed.

It is important, in applying the preservative, that the amount of thepreservative be matched to the size or volume of the wooden member beingtreated. Application rates which will provide a boron pesticideconcentration in the range of 0.05 to 0.24 pounds per cubic foot ofsubstrate at a depth of 0.75 in are employed. The optimal concentrationsdepend to some extent upon the aggressiveness and/or species of theinsect(s) or fungus(ii) to be controlled and can be obtained by applyingbeads with equivalent diameters related to the substrate diameter asfollows:

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                                     Preferred Equivalent                                             Substrate    Diameter of Preservative                                         Diameter (in)                                                                              Bead (in)                                                        ______________________________________                                         6           0.18*                                                             8           0.21*                                                            10           0.22*                                                            12           0.25*                                                            ______________________________________                                         *-0 + 20 percent                                                         

With regard to the term of "equivalent diameter", the pastelikecomposition will normally be dispensed in a bead which is aboutthree-sixteenths of an inch in diameter and possibly up to three-eighthsof an inch in diameter. Equivalent diameter is the diameter of acircular cross-section of the pastelike composition equalling the totalcross-sectional of the bead or beads that are applied. For example, ifthe bead of the composition being dispensed has a diameter ofone-quarter inch, and if the wanted "equivalent diameter" is one-halfinch, four one-quarter inch diameter bead would be applied to the timberto provide the "equivalent diameter" of one-half inch.

It is typically difficult to apply beads of a diameter which exceedabout one-quarter to three-eighths of an inch. In many instances,therefore, it is common to apply two or more beads to obtain therequired total volume.

For components that do not have a circular cross-section, the equivalentdiameter is calculated as if the component were a round timber with across-section of the same area. Thus, for purposes of calculatingequivalent bead diameter, a 6 in×12 in beam is treated as if it were around log with a diameter ≈10 in.

If the nature of the wood, the weather conditions, the types of insectsand fungi that may be attacking the wood, and other factors are suchthat more of the composition is required, the equivalent diameters givenin Table 1 can be increased by as much as 25 to 200 percent, an upperlimit beyond which there is typically no particular benefit in applyingmore of the composition. Also, the equivalent diameter as given in theabove table can possibly be decreased by 10 to 50 percent if therelevant conditions are less severe.

Logs, timbers, and other structural products are used in a wide varietyof forms including the round logs 22 and 24 shown in FIG. 1 andsquared-off logs such as those illustrated in FIG. 2 and identified byreference characters 42 and 44. These logs have flat upper surfaces 46and parallel, also flat lower surfaces (not shown). In building astructure from logs of the character shown in FIG. 2, one or more beadsof preservative--in this case two beads 48 and 50--are applied to theupper surface 46 of lower log 42 before the next log 44 is stacked onit.

Often employed in wooden structures are rectangularly sectioned logssuch as those depicted in FIG. 3 and identified by reference characters54 and 56. Also common is the assembly technique illustrated in FIG. 3in which beams of the illustrated character are separated by verticallyoriented, parallel, spaced apart splines 58 and 60. The upper and loweredges of these splines are respectively seated in grooves 62 in thelower surface 64 of upper beam 56 and in complementary grooves 66 formedin the upper surface 68 of lower beam 54.

In erecting a structure of the character depicted in FIG. 3, the beadsof preservative--here those identified by reference characters 70 and72--are applied to the upper surface 68 of beam 54 before splines 58 and60 are installed and the upper beam 56 lowered into place.

As is also shown in FIG. 3, it is not essential that the woodpreservatives of the present invention be applied to exterior surfacesof the wood being treated. An alternative is to drill or otherwiseprovide a hole or other cavity such as that identified by referencecharacter 74 in the wooden structural member and then place thepreservative in that hole. This can also be done in most any other logconfiguration.

As shown in FIG. 3, holes of the character just described willtypically, if not necessarily, be spaced at intervals along the woodencomponent being treated. The spacing, diameter, and depth of the holesand the amount of wood preservative placed in them are so coordinatedthat the amount of the preservative will be within theconcentration/depth parameters identified above.

Another representative, and typical, application of the presentinvention is illustrated in FIG. 4. That figure depicts, in fragmentaryform, a log structure 78 with a vertical wall 80. Wall 80 has arectangular opening 82 in which a window 84 is installed. The window isheld in place by a frame 86 composed of upper, lower, and verticalmembers 88, 90, 92, and 94. This window frame has an inwardly facinggroove 96 in which the edges 98 of the window are seated (see FIG. 6).The gaps between the window frames and the ends 100 of the logs 102making up wall 80 are filled with chinking 104 as are the gaps 106between adjacent logs.

In structure 78, logs 102 are protected from insecticidal and fungalattack with a wood preservative of the character discussed above andapplied to the horizontal surfaces of the logs or placed in holesdrilled in them. Also, in structure 78, wooden window frame 86 isprotected against insecticidal and fungal attack with the woodpreservative.

All four components 88 . . . 94 of the frame are treated in the samemanner. Vertical frame member 94 is typical. As shown in FIG. 5, a bead108 of the preservative is placed on the exterior surface 110 of thatcomponent midway between its inner and outer edges 112 and 114 beforethe gap between component 94 and the end 100 of log 102 is filled withchinking 104. Wood preservative bead 108 extends the length of windowframe component 94 and has a diameter large enough to provide at leastthe minimum active ingredient at depth concentration identified above.

In applications of the invention such as those just described withreference to the drawing, the chinking 30 and 32 (FIG. 1) and 104 (FIGS.4 and 5) and the splines 58 and 60 (FIG. 3) perform several importantpreservative-related functions. They protect the wood preservative fromthe elements, keeping it from being dissolved or otherwise broken downand washed away or rendered ineffective in other ways by direct exposureto the elements; e.g., to a driving rain. The chinking and splines alsohide the beads of preservative, which some may find aestheticallyunattractive.

Also, the chinking and splines isolate the beads of wood preservativefrom those areas which are commonly stained to enhance the appearance ofthe structure; e.g., those exterior log surfaces identified by referencecharacter 33 in FIG. 1. This prevents preservative constituents (i.e.,the carrier) from interfering with the curing mechanism intended to takeplace as the stain dries.

FIG. 6 shows another type of log or timber in which the presentinvention can be advantageously used. The log 120 has upper and lowerflattened surfaces 122 and 124. The upper portion of the log has acentral, relatively deep, vertical kerf 126 which extends nearly to thecenterline of the log 120. It also has two, laterally spaced, moreshallow kerfs 128 and 130 which fit into ridges or elongated protrusions132 and 134 of a similarly formed log (not shown) immediately above log120. The composition is applied in kerf 126. As this kerf cuts acrossthe grain of the wood, the active boron ingredient is better able totravel along diffusion paths parallel to the grain and thus more easilyreach the various interior portions of log 120.

FIG. 7 shows a round log 136 having a single, radially extending kerf138. The bead or beads of the preservative composition are inserted inthis kerf, thus obtaining the advantage of diffusion along pathsparallel to the grain of the wood to the more critical areas of the log.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts thatan essentially endless variety of wooden components may be protectedfrom insecticidal and fungal attack by employing the wood preservativeformulations and application techniques of the present invention. To theextent that these are not expressly excluded from the appended claims,they are fully intended to be embraced by those claims.

It will also be appreciated that this novel technique of applying apaste preservative with a moisture activated translocation of the activeprinciple to the interior of a wooden member or component to protect itagainst insecticidal and fungal attack is not confined to the use of aboron-based material as the active principle or even to the use of thespecific carrier constituents identified above as long as constituentswith the requisite characteristics are selected. Consequently, suchmodifications of the invention are also fully intended to be covered bythe appended claims.

Essentially the only limitation on the use of the preservative is thatit must be protected from conditions such as driving rains which mightbreak down and wash the preservative from the wood surface. Also, asdiscussed above, the preservative should be isolated from any exposedareas to which a latex or other film-forming polymer is to be applied sothat the active principle of the preservative will not interfere withthe curing mechanism. In addition, for purely aesthetic reasons, it maybe preferable to hide the preservative from view.

The invention may thus be embodied in many forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

We claim:
 1. A method for protecting a wooden component against attackby destructive insects and fungi, said method comprising the step ofapplying to an exposed surface of the component a wood preservativepaste comprising a boron-based pesticide dispersed in a carrier which isso formulated as to release the active constituent from the paste fortranslocation into said component upon the wood preservative paste beingcontacted by moisture, said carrier comprising a solid polyethyleneglycol and a liquid polyethylene glycol and said pesticide being presentin an amount such that said paste is effective to protect wood to whichthe paste is applied against insecticidal and fungal attack.
 2. A methodas defined in claim 1 in which said exposed surface is an exteriorsurface of the component.
 3. A method as defined in claim 1 in whichsaid exposed surface is the surface of a hole in the component.
 4. Amethod as defined in claim 1 in which at least two beads of woodpreservative paste are applied to said exposed surface.
 5. A method asdefined in claim 1 in which the quantity of the wood preservative pasteapplied to the exposed surface of the wooden component is such as tomake the boron-based pesticide available at a depth of 0.75 inch in aconcentration of at least 0.05 to 0.24 pounds of the pesticidecalculated as the boric acid equivalent per cubic foot of wood.
 6. Amethod as defined in claim 1 which includes the step of so protectingthe applied wood preservative paste from the elements that it is notbroken down and rendered ineffective.
 7. A method as defined in claim 1in which:a curable stain is applied to an exposed surface of the woodencomponent to which the wood preservative paste is applied; and saidapplied wood preservative paste is isolated from the area to which saidstain is to be applied such that the paste will not interfere with thestain's curing mechanism.
 8. A method as defined in claim 1 in which thepesticide comprises borax; boric acid; a mixture of borax and boricacid; borax pentahydrate; a potassium, ammonium, or sodium borate;disodium octoborate; or disodium octoborate tetrahydrate.
 9. A method asdefined in claim 8 in which the pesticide is disodium octoborate ordisodium octoborate tetrahydrate.
 10. A method as defined in claim 1 inwhich the paste contains about 37 to 55.5 weight percent of theboron-based pesticide calculated as the boric acid equivalent.
 11. Amethod as defined in claim 1 in which at least one of the polyethyleneglycol constituents of the carrier is effective upon contact with thepaste by moisture, to enhance the translocation of the pesticide intowood to which the preservative is applied.
 12. A method as defined inclaim 1 in which the solid polyethylene glycol constituent of thecarrier is one which is effective to thicken the paste.
 13. A method asdefined in claim 1 which employs a wood preservative paste comprising asurfactant constituent that is effective to uniformly disperse thepesticide in the carrier component.
 14. A method as defined in claim 1which employs a wood preservative paste comprising a surfactantconstituent that is effective to promote adhesion of the paste to anexposed surface to which it is applied.
 15. A method as defined in claim1 which employs a wood preservative paste that comprises:

    ______________________________________                                        Constituent        Weight Percent                                             ______________________________________                                        Boron-based Pesticide                                                                            37-55.5                                                    (calculated as the boric                                                      acid equivalent)                                                              Liquid Polyethylene Glycol                                                                       40-60                                                      Solid Polyethylene Glycol                                                                        1-10.                                                      ______________________________________                                    


16. A method as defined in claim 15 which employs a wood preservativepaste comprising from about 0.01 to 5 weight percent of a surfactantconstituent which is effective to promote the uniform suspension of thepesticide constituent of the wood preservative paste in the carriercomponent of the paste.
 17. A method as defined in claim 15 whichemploys a wood preservative paste comprising from about 0.01 to 10weight percent of a surfactant constituent which is effective to promoteadhesion of said paste to an exposed surface to which it is applied bywetting said surface.